Compensator



July 16, 1935.

Filed Deo. 28, 1951 H. J. BYRNE COMPENSATOR s sheets-sheet 1 'H BY HAS ATTQQNEY July 16, 1935. H. J. BYRNE 2,008,241

COMPENSATOR Filed Dec. 28, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i773 ATTORNEY July 16, 1935 H. J. BYRNE 2,008,241

COMPENSATOR Filed Deo. 28, 1951 5 Shams-sheet 3 INVENTO HUG/1J EVP E.

H/s ATTORNEY Patented July 16, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMPENSATOR Hugh J. Byrne, San Francisco, Calif.

Application December 28, 1931, Serial No. 583,465

26 Claims. (Cl. 236-26) My invention relates to a compensator, and particularly to a load change compensator adapted for use in boiler regulation.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a load change compensator which materially increases the efficiency of boiler operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a compensator which will guard against explosions.

Further objects of my invention include the provision of a compensator of the character described which operates in conjunction with and makes use of parts present in existing boiler regulators; and which' is simple and fool-proof in its operation.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the compensator embodying my invention in conjunction with a gas red boiler; for purposes of clarity and simplifying the drawings, only portions of the boiler regulator with which my compensator is connected are shown; and

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the compensator embodying my invention in conjunction with an oil fired boiler.

Figure 3 is a side View, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the details of the compensator illustrated in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the details of the compensator illustrated in Figure 2.

When boilers are fired automatically, with theirfurnace regulating elements, viz., fuel valves, air louvers and ilue gas dampers, operated by a boiler regulator so as to maintain a constant steam pressure, it is desirable to have at least one element, and possibly more, lead or lag its normal movement. Consider for example the case of a gas red boiler. As the load increases the steam pressure drops momentarily.

In ordinary boiler regulation this drop in pressure effects the boiler regulator in such a manner that it causes the furnace regulating elements to open simultaneously to increase firing and raise the steam pressure.

In order to insure sufficient draft to draw an ample supply of air into the furnace for immediate complete combustion, however, the flue gas damper should be caused to open in advance of, or lead, the other elements. Such a premature opening of the iiue damper will result in a higher combustion and boiler efliciency. After being opened the damper should then be allowed to cut back and seek its best or normal position for the particular load carried; this position being that set by the boiler regulator. Likewise, as the load drops the damper should be caused to lag, or be momentarily retarded, in closing;

and after a brief period of delay be allowed to seek its best or normal position for the particular load carried. This Will insure ample draft to draw into thefurnace sufficient air to provide complete combustion of the fuel fed into the furnace just before the load change occurs. As was the case with the premature opening, this will result in a higher average efficiency; and in both cases guard against explosions.

Another example is the case of firing with a steam atomizing oil burner. In this case the oil valve should be delayed, or retarded, in its opening with respect to the opening of the other furnace regulating elements, including the atomizing steam valve, as the load increases. layed opening of the fuel valve will insure ample air and atomizing steam to attain complete combustion, thereby maintaining a higher combustion and boiler efficiency .when the load increases,

This deas well as guard against explosion. Likewise, as

the load decreases the fuel Valve should be closed prematurely, or in advance of the other regulating elements, to insure complete combustion of fuel fed into the furnace just before the load change occurs. higher average efiiciency, and guard against ex4 plosion.

In view of these considerations the broad object of my invention is to provide a load change As above; this will result in a compensator preferably operating in conjunction with an existing boiler regulator for effecting a lead or lag in the normal or regulator imparted movement of one or more of the furnace regulating elements, so as to attain the higher combustion and boiler efciency, and also to preferred form the compensator is interposed in the connection between the regulator and controlled elements, and is actuated by the fluid pressure means of the regulator to alter the length of the connection between the elements for changing the position of the controlled ele- A ment relative to the regulator element.

In greater detail, the load change compensator embodying my invention is shown in Figure l in conjunction with a gas fired boiler and its associated boiler regulator; The boiler may be of any known or suitable construction, such as that shown having the boiler units 2 arranged .in a gas furnace 3 having the usual gas ilue damper 4, air louvers 6 and gas burner ll; the gas discharge from the burner being controlled by a suitable valve 8.

The boiler regulator shown is a type preferably used in lconjunction with my compensator, and comprises a cylinder 9 in which a piston II is slidably arranged. A. pressure fluid, such as water, is admitted to either end of the cylinder 9 by a pilot valve I2 controlled by the usual pressure beamA I3. Movement of the piston II is transmitted thru suitable linkage to a movable lregulator element I4; this latter element being elements and other portions of the regulator are not shown, because they form no part of the present invention and their presence in the drawings would only serve to complicate the view. While the compensator embodying my invention may be used with any type of regulator having a fluid pressure actuating means, it is preferably used in conjunction with the regulator described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 572,635, filed November 2, 1931.

Still referring to the regulation of a gas fired boiler, as shown in Figure 1, the compensator of my invention is interposed in the connection between the regulator element I4 and flue damper 4, and comprises a cylinder I8 connected for movement with the portions of the connection I6 leading to the regulator element I4, and a piston I9 slidable in the cylinder I8 and connected for movement with the portion of the connection I8 leading to the flue damper 4. Means are provided in the cylinder for limiting the outward movement of the piston, and a spring 2| is provided for normally holding the piston in an extended position, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

The compensator cylinder I8 is connected. with the ends of the regulator cylinder 9 by means of a duct 22 and the branch ducts 23; each of the branch ducts being provided with a check valve 24. In order to permit free movement of vthe compensator the duct 22 is provided with posed in the discharge duct for controlling the rate of escape of the pressure fluid.

By this arrangement a pressure fluid operating against either end of the regulator piston I I also operates against the compensator piston I9; the result being that the connection I6 is shortened in either case. Thus, as the load increases and the steam pressure drops, the pressure beam I3 of the regulator will tilt downward. This places the pilot valve I2 in such a position that the pressure fluid will flow to the top of the regulator cylinder 9, thereby driving the regulator piston II downward. Such a movement of the piston is transmitted through the linkage of the regulator and through the several connecting cables I6 and I1 to open each of the furnace regulatin elements.

As soon as the pressure fluid is introducedinto the top of the regulator cylinder 9, however, it is conveyed to the compensator cylinder I8, Where its presence immediately retracts the compensator piston I9 to shorten the length of the connection I6. This `action prematurely opens the iiue damper 4, and insures sufficient draft in the furnace to draw an ample supply of air into the furnace to provide complete combustion. Later, as the steam pressure increases, the pressure beam I3 floats upward to its neutral position, and the pilot valve I2 is positioned to cut oir the pressure fluid to the cylinder. During this throttling operation the compensator piston I9 returns to its normal or outward position by the bleeder action provided by the needle valve 21. With the piston I9 in its normal position the damper 4 is' permitted to seek its best or normal position for the particular load carried,v as set by the position of the regulator element I4. The premature opening of the gas uedamper thus results in an increased efficiency of boiler operation during an increase in load, and also guards against explosion at this time.

Similarly, as the load drops, the resulting rise in steam pressure causes the pressure beam I3 to tilt upward. This positions the pilot valve I2 to admit the pressure fluid to the lower end of the regulator cylinder l9. As a result, the regulator piston II is driven upward, and this action is transmitted through the linkage of the regulator and the several connections I6 and I1 to close oil' the furnace regulating elements. However, as soon as the iluid is admitted to the lower end of the regulator cylinder it is conveyed to the compensator cylinder I8, where it again operates to retract the compensator piston I9 and shorten the length of the connection I6. This action counter-acts the effect of the regulator element I4 in closing the damper 4, with the result that the closing of the damper is delayed or retarded with respect to the closing of the other regulating elements of the furnace; thus insuring a discharge of all the products of combustion from the furnace at the rate obtaining prior to the load change.

As soon as the pressure beam I3 floats back to its neutral position the pressure fluid to the cylinder is shut olf, and the compensator piston I 9 allowed to assume its extended or normal position. This again permits the damper 4 'to seek its best or normal position for the particular load carried, asset by the regulator element I4. The delayed closing of the damper thus results in an increased eiliciency of boiler operation during a drop in load, and also guards against explosion at this time.

Thus, the compensator provides means operating in time .with the regulator element I4 for changing the position of the damper 4 relative to the regulator element to increase the furnace and boiler efficiency during periods of load change, and for guarding against explosions at these times.

The details of the compensator illustrated in Figure 1 are shown in Figure 3. Referring to the latter ligure, the piston I9 is shown secured to a rod 28 slidably mounted in the inner end of the cylinder I8'; the spring 2i being disposed about the rod 28 and compressed between the piston I9 and inner end of the cylinder. A cover plate 29 is provided for closing the outer end of the cylinder, and is adapted for slidably receiving the piston rod 28. A boss 30 is formed on the inner face of the cylinder end wall for positioning the spring 2|; and a similar boss 3| is formed on the inner face of the plate 29 for limiting the outward movement of the piston I9, and also to provide a space 32 between the piston and cover plate.

The cylinder I8 is provided with passages 33 communicating between the inner end of the cylinder and the atmosphere; and is also provided with similar passages 34 opening into the space 32 between the piston and cover plate. One of the passages 34 is connected with the duct 22 which communicates with the ends of the regulator cylinder 9, and the other passage 34 is connected with the discharge duct 26. A socket 35, adapted to receive the end of the connection I6 leading to the regulator element, is mounted on the end of the cylinder I8. The end of the piston rod 28 is also provided with a similar socket for receiving the end of the connection I6 leading to the ue damper. A set screw 31 is preferably provided in each socket for securing the ends of the connection portions in the sockets.

Figure 2 shows the compensator embodying. my invention as used in conjunction with an oil fired boiler. In this case the compensator is preferably interposed in a branch connection 38 connecting the fuel valve 39 with an element 4I of the regulator. The other branch 42 of this connection connects directly with the steam valve 43 of the steam atomizing oil burner 44. The other regulating elements of the furnace, including the flue damper 46, are preferably connected directly with their movable control elements of the regulator.

The compensator in this case is similar to that described in connection with the gas red boiler, excepting that in the present instance the positionoi the spring 2| is changed and the cylinder IB is connected for movement with the portion of the branch connection 38 leading to the regulator element 4I, while the piston I9 is connected for movement with the portion of the branch connection 38 leading to the fuel valve 39.

The details of the oil fired boiler compensator are shown in Figure 4. It will be noted that the structural parts of this compensator may be exact duplications of the compensator used in connection with the gas red boiler; the only diierence between the compensators being in the assembly of the parts. In the present case the piston I9 normally rests in a retracted position in the cylinder, and is held spaced from the inner end of the cylinder by the boss 3|); the spring 2| being positioned between the piston I9 and the cover plate 29.

Also, in the present case, the ducts 22 and 26 are threaded into the cylinder to connect with the passages 33 which previously formed the cylinder vents, and the passages 34 which previously connected with the ducts now forming the vents. It will be noted that the pressure uid now enters the space 41 between the piston and the inner end wall of the cylinder, and operates against the action of the spring 2I to extend the piston and increase the length of the branch connection 38.

The hook-up of the compensator with the cylinder of the regulator is not shown in this case, because it is the same as that shown in Figure 1; it being obvious that the presence of a pressure fluid in either end of the regulator cylinder operates to extend the piston I9 and increase the length of the branch connection 38. Thus, the opening of the fuel valve 39 is delayed or retarded with respect to the opening of the other regulating control elements of the furnace, including the steam valve 43, as the load increases. This insures ample air and atomizing steam to obtain complete combustion, thereby maintaining a higher combustion and boiler efficiency when the load increases, as well as guard against explosion. Likewise, as the load decreases, the oil or fuel valves will close prematurely, or in advance of, the other furnace regulating elements. As will be readily understood this will also insure ample air and atomizing steam to obtain cornplete combustion. Thus, in the case of either an increase or decrease in load, the combustion and boiler eiciency of the oil fired boiler is increased, and in both cases explosions are guarded against.

I claim:

1. The combination with a boiler regulator havmg a movable element operatively connected for regulating the position of a movable element associated with the boiler, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, and means for introducing a pressure fluid into the cylinder for actuating said regulator element, of a compensator interposed in the connection between said elements and operated by the uid in said cylinder for changing the position of the controlled element relative to the regulator element. n 2. The combination with a boiler regulator havlng a movable element operatively connected for regulating the position of a movable element associated with the boiler, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, and means for introducing a pressure fluid into the cylinder for actuating said regulator element, of a compensator interposed in the connection between said elements and comprising a cylinder connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to one of the elements, a piston slidable in said compensator cylinder and connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to the other of said elements, and a duct connecting said cylinders together so that the pressure iiuid operating against the regulator piston also operates against the compensator piston for altering the length of said connection to change the position of the controlled element relative to the regulator element.

3. The combination with a boiler regulator having a movable element operatively connected for regulating the position of a movable element associated with the boiler, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, and means for introducingV a pressure fluid into the cylinder for actuating said regulator element, of a com.

pensator interposed in the connection between said elements and comprising a cylinder connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to one of the elements, a piston slidable in said compensator cylinder and connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to the other of said elements, and a duct including a exible portion connecting said cylinders together so that the pressure uid operating against the regulator piston also operates against the compensator piston for altering the length of said connection to change the position of the controlled element relative to the regulator element.

4. The combination with a boiler regulator having a movable element operatively connected for regulating the position of a movable element associated with the boiler, the regulator `having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, and means for introducing a pressure iluid into the cylinder for actuating said regulator element, of a compensator interposed in the connection between said elements and comprising a cylinder connected for movement with the port-ion of the connection leading to one of the elements, a piston slidable in said compensator cylinder and connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to the other of said elements, a discharge duct leading from the compensator cylinder, a needle valve in said duct, and a duct connecting said cylinders together so that the pressure fluid operating against the regulator piston also operates against the compensator piston for altering the length of said connection to change the position of the controlled element relative to the regulator element.

5. The combination with a boiler regulator having a movable elementvoperatively connected for regulating the position of a movable element associated with the boiler, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, and means for introducing a pressure fluid into either end of said cylinder for actuating the regulator element, of a compensator interposed in the connection between said elements and operated by the fluid in an end of said cylinder for changing the position of the controlled element relative to the regulator element.

6. The combination with a boiler regulator having a movable element 4operatively connected for regulating the position of a movable element associated with the boiler, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, and means for introducing a pressure iluid into either end of said cylinder for actuating the regulator element, of a compensator interposed in the connection between said elements and comprising a cylinder connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to one of the elements, a piston slidable inA said compensator cylinder and connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to the other of said elements, ducts' connecting the compensator cylinder with the ends of said regulator cylinder, and check valves in the ducts leading from the ends of said regulator cylinder so that the pressure iiuid operating against either end of the regulator piston also operates against the compensator piston for altering the length of said connection to change the position of the controlled element relative to the regulator element.

7. The combination with a boiler regulator having a movable element operatively connected for opening and closing the ilue damper of the boiler furnace, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, and means for introducing a pressure Huid into the cylinder for actuating said regulator element, of a compensator interposed in the connection between the regulator element and damper and comprising a cylinder connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to the regulator element, a piston slidable in said compensator cylinder and connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to the flue damper, and a duct connecting said cylinders together so that the pressure iluid operating against the regulator piston also operates against the compensator piston to shorten said connection for opening said damper in advance of the opening normally effected by the regulator element and for closing the damper after the closing normally eiiected by said element.

8. The combination with a boiler regulator having a movable element operatively connected for opening and closing the fuel valve of the boiler furnace, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, and means for introducing a pressure iluid into the cylinder for actuating said regulator element, of a compensator interposed in the connection between the regulator element and valve and comprising a cylinder connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to the fuel valve, a piston slidable in the compensator cylinder and connected for movement with the portion of the connection leading to the regulator element, and a duct connecting said cylinders together so that the pressure fluid operating against the regulator piston also operates against the compensator piston to lengthen said connection for opening said valve after the opening normally effected by the regulator element and for closing the valve in advance of the closing normally effected by said element.

9. A boiler control apparatus comprising a plurality of elements to be controlled associated with the boiler, a boiler regulator having a movable element for opening and closing said boiler elements, connections between the regulator element and said boiler elements, and compensating means interposed in one of said connections only and operating in time with the regulator element for opening one of said boiler elements in advance of the opening normally effected by the regulator element and for closing said boiler element after the closing normally effected by said regulator element.

10. A boiler control apparatus comprising a plurality of elements to be controlled associated With the boiler, a boiler regulator having a movable element for opening and closing said boiler elements, connections between the regulator element and said boiler elements, and compensating means operating in time with the regulator element for opening one of said boiler elements in advance of the opening normally eiected by the regulator element and for closing said boiler element after the closing normally effected by said regulator element, said compensating means including means adjustable to vary the time durar tion of said lead and lag in the opening and closing of the boiler element.

11. In a power plant, a regulator having means movable responsive to change in load conditions of said power plant, a movable element associated with said power plant for controlling a combustion condition thereof, a connection between said element and said movable means to eiect movement of said element upon movement of said movable means, and a compensating unit inter'- posed in and forming a part of said connection, said compensating unit including members mounted for movement relative to each other, one member being joined only to a single connecting line leading to said movable means, another member being joined only to a single connecting line leading to said element, the portions of the lines adjacent said members forming the sole supporting means for said unit to provide a oating mounting therefor, and said portions being so positioned relative to each other and with respect to said unit as to apply no forces which would oppose Vsaid relative movement between said members.

12. In a power plant, a regulator having means movable responsive to change in load conditions of said power plant, a movable element associated with said power plant for controlling a combustion condition thereof, a connection between said element and said movable means to eiect movement of said element upon movement of said movable means, and a compensating unit interposed in and forming a part of said connection, said compensating unit including members mounted for movement relative to each other, one member being a cylinder joined only at one end at a point along the axis of -said cylinder to a single line, another member being a piston having a'piston rod projecting through the opposite end of said cylinder at a point along the axis of said cylinder, said rod being joined only to a single line, the portions of said lines adjacent said members being in line with the axis of said cylinder and forming the sole supporting means for said unit to provide a floating mounting therefor.

13. The combination with a boiler regulator having a movable element operatively connected for regulating the position of a movable element associated with the boiler, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, of a compensator interposed in the connection between said elements for changing the position of the controlled boiler element relative to said regulator element, means for introducing a pressure fluid into said cylinder for actuating said regulator element and means for directly applying a pressure fluid to said compensator to operate said compensator.

14. The combination with a boiler regulator having a movable element operatively connected for regulating the position of a movable element associated with the boiler, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, of a compensator comprising a loaded plunger in a dashpot interposed in the connection between said elements, means for operating said regulator element and means for introducing a fluid into said dashpot to change the position of said elements with respect to eachother.

15. The combination of a regulator having a control element operatively connected for regulating the position of a plurality of controlled elements and a fluid pressure actuated compensator to change the position of one of said controlled elements with respect to the control element by introducing said iluid into said compensator.

16. The combination of a regulator having a control element operatively connected for regulating the position of a plurality of controlled elements, a compensator to change the position of one of said controlled elements with respect to the control element and uid pressure means for actuating both the control element and the compensator by direct application of said iluid pressure to said control element, and to said compensator.

1'7. The combination with a Aregulator having a control element operatively connected for regulating the position of a controlled element, of a compensator to change the position of said elements with respect to each other, means for actuating the control element and means for actuating the compensator, said compensator actuating means being independent of the movement of the control element.

18. The combination with a regulator having a control element operatively connected for`regulating the position of a plurality of controlled elements, of a compensator to change the position of said elements with respect to each other, means for actuating the control element and means for actuating the compensator, said compensator actuating means being independent of the movement of the control element.

19. The combination with a regulator having a control element operatively connected for regulating the position of the controlled element, of a compensator to change the position of said elements with respect to each other, said control element being actuated by means governed by the movement of a movable regulator device responsive to the condition affected by said controlled element, said compensator also actuated by means governed by the movement of said movable regulator device, the compensator actuating means being independent ofthe movement of the regulator control element.

20. The combination with a regulator having a control element operatively connected for regulating the position of a plurality of controlled elements, of a compensator to change the position of said elements with respect to each other, said control element actuated by means governed by the movement of a movable regulator device responsive to the condition affected by said controlled elements, said compensator also actuated by means governed by the movement of said movable regulator device, the compensator actuating means being independent of the movement of the regulator control element.

21. The combination with a regulator having a control element operatively connected for regulating the position of a controlled element, of compensating means to change the position of said elements with respect to each other a xed amount and maintain said xed amount of relative change with respect to each other While the control element is in motion.

22. The combination with a regulator having a control element operatively connected for regulating the position of a plurality of controlled elements, of compensating means to change the position of said elements with respect to each other a xed amount, and maintain said fixed amount of relative change with respect to each other while the control element is in motion.

23. In a power plant, a regulator having means movable responsive to change in load conditions of said power plant, a plurality of movable elements associated with said power plant for controlling a combustion condition thereof, connections between said elements and said movable means to effect movement of said elements upon movement of said movable means, compensating means interposed in and forming a part of one of said connections to eiect initially a difference in movement oi.' a selected element with respect to said movable means simultaneously with the movement of said movable means from a givenposition, and means independent of said connection for acting upon said compensating means to cause positively said initial difference in movement.

24. In a power plant, a regulator having means movable responsive to change in load conditions of said power plant, a plurality of movable elements associated with said power plant for controlling a combustion condition thereof, connections between said elements and said movable means to effect movement of said elements upon movement of said movable means, compensating means interposed in and forming a part of one of said connections to vary the length thereof and effect initially a difference in movement of a selected element with respect to said movable means simultaneously with the movement of said movable means from a given position, and means independent of said connection and controlled by said regulator for acting upon said compensating means to effect positively a change in length of said connection and positively cause saidl initial difference in movement.

`25. ,I'he combination with a boiler regulator having a movable element operatively connected for regulating the position of a plurality of movable elements associated with the boiler, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, of a compensator interposed in a connection between said elements for changing the position of said elements relative to each other, means for introducing a pressure uid into said cylinder for actuating said regulator element and means for directly applying a pressure fluid to said compensator to operate said compensator.

26. The combination with a boiler regulator having a movable element operatively connected for regulating the position of a pluralityof movable elements associated with the boiler, the regulator having a cylinder, a piston connected with the regulator element and slidable in said cylinder, of a compensator comprising a loaded plunger in a dashpot interposed in a connection between-said elements, means for operating said regulator element and means for introducing a fluid into said dashpot to change the position of said elements with respect' to each other.

HUGH J. BYRNE. 

